Clifton Beach is the perfect destination if you are looking to get back to nature. This six kilometre stretch of white sand is largely untouched by any tourist development. Just sit back under the swaying palm trees looking out over the clear waters for the ultimate relaxing experience.
The atmosphere of the small town is very laid back and relatively quiet. As fewer tourists venture this way, you’ll come across little of the nightlife that characterises the Cairn’s ocean front. Accommodation is available in both luxury resorts and budget dormitory-style hostels, so there is something to suit every budget. You’ll find plenty of small cafés and restaurants in the town, as well as grocery shops for picnic essentials, and speciality retailers selling beach-side essentials like snorkels and fishing gear.
Grab a deck chair and a chilled drink, and join the locals unwinding on the beach. If you fancy a meal ‘al fresco’, there are barbecue grills and picnic areas for all to use. Meanwhile, children can let off steam on the play equipment provided.
With the year-round hot weather, the clear ocean off Clifton Beach is perfect for a cooling dip. Between November and May, harmful stingers such as irukandii jellyfish arrive in this region’s waters, so nets are installed to protect swimmers. Lifeguards patrol the beach daily during “stinger season”, but make sure you stay within the netted area to avoid putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
For a wider selection of cafés and restaurants than you’ll find in Clifton Beach, head north on foot along the beach to Palm Cove. This town also has small boutiques and art galleries to explore.
Other nearby attractions include the Cairns Tropical Zoo where you’ll be able to feed the kangaroos and cuddle a koala, and the Daintree Rainforest for fascinating hikes through the lush vegetation. If you are into golf, the local course is considered to be one of Australia’s top 50 greens.
Clifton Beach is a 25-minute drive north from Cairns, along the Captain Cook Highway. There is also a regular bus service between Cairns and Palm Cove, stopping at Clifton Beach.
